Head support with pivoted backrest



E. H. CAMPBELL 2,818,585

Jan. 7, 1958 Filed Dec. 28, 1955 INVENTOR.

ELLEN HESS CAMPBELL BY 2m 5520M ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1958 E. H. CAMPBELL 2,818,585

HEAD SUPPORT WITH PIVOTED BACKREST Filed Dec. 28, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY 0464 ewi ATTORNEYS ELLEN HE SS CAMPBELL United States Patent O 7 2,818,585 7 HEAD SUPPORT wlrnrrvornl) BACKREST Ellen Hess Campbell, Han-isville, w. Va. Application December 28, 1955, Serial No. 555,842

4 Claims. c1. 5-327 This invention relates generally to a shampooing device, and has to do more particularly witha shampooing device which. is adapted for shampooing the hair of persons 'in reclining positions as well as of persons seated upright.

shampooing devices heretofore developed have been adapted for shampooing the hair of persons either lying in .bed or seated on chairs and the like. However, no such device has been developed to perform both of those shampoo operations interchangeably. Moreover, the former devices adapted for one shampooing operation have not at all been well adapted to the other operation even on a make-shift basis. Hospitals, convalescent homes, visiting and practical nurses, as well as any person or home caring for an invalid, all have a special need for a shampooing device having dual capabilities of use, for

the relative immobility of invalids and convalescents renders it'impractical to adjust or position those persons to render a prior, single-operation device operative in a manner for which not constructed.

An object of this invention is to provide a device adapted for interchangeable use in shampooing the hair of persons in reclining positions as well as of persons seated relatively upright, which renders it unnecessary, in either manner of use, for the subject of the shampoo to leave his bed or seat.

Another object is to provide a shampooing device having a tray with a cushioned neck-accommodating portion and a neck andback support cooperating with the tray, the support being adapted to partially overlie the tray when the device is being used to shampoo the hair of a reclining person to prevent the cushioned portion from interfering with the shampooing operation, while the cushioned portion is adapted for usewhen the neck and back support is removed for use of the tray to shampoo the hairof persons seated upright.

Another object is to provide a device for interchangeable use in shampooing the hair of persons in reclining positions as well as of persons seated upright, which device is capable of use remote from a running Water supply, and whichhas drainage means which can cooperate with a pail ofothei' Water-collection means so that the device may be utilized remote from a sink or drain means.

Yet another object is to provide a device adapted for shampooing the'hair of persons in reclining positions as well as of persons seated upright, which device has a novel neck and back support removably cooperative with a shampooing tray, and by means of which neck and back support a recliningpersons neck can be comfortably and'securely supported relative to the shampoo tray.

A further: object is to provide a device for shampooing the hair of persons in reclining positions as Well as of persons seated relatively upright, which device includes a tray support structure having a three-way adjusting mechanism, so that a shampooing tray can be quickly and easily. raised or loweredto accommodate all standard bed and chair heights in either manner of operation without necessity of interchange of parts, projected and retracted laterally of thesupport structure to accommodate a wide variety of' shapes .of beds, chairs and other body-supporting members, and pivoted in a vertical plane to adjust the angle the shampooing tray-makes with the horizontal, so thatthe rate of water-drainage tray may be controlled.

Yet a further object isto provide a shampooing device and a cooperating neck: and back support therefor from the which can be quickly and easily disassembled and compactly collapsed, for. convenient carrying and storage thereof.

A still further object is to provide a shampooing device for invalids, the sides and drain portions of which are so formed as toreduce any tendency toward splashing or spilling of,water therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description thereof taken in connection with theappended drawings, in' which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of this invention positioned for shampooing the hair of a person in reclining position;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the device of Figure 1 reduced in size and with .the neck and back support removed for shampooing of thehair of a person seated upright; I I

Figure 3 is an enlarged top'plan-view of the sham-- pooing tray .of the device of Figure 1;

Figure, 4 is a fragmentary elevational sectional view of the shampooing tray of Figure 3 taken on line 4-4 thereof; a

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the neck and back supportof Figure 1.

The device of the present invention is particularly well adapted for-shampooing thephair of invalids or persons confined to, bed or' to rooms where facilities mightnot be available for giving those persons shampoos. device, accordingly, is described herein in connection with such uses However, it'is to be understood that"- this invention is capable of usein barber or beauty shops and other establishments. where shampoos are regularly given. 7 i Referring now particularly to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment ,of ,the invention is shown positioned for shampooing the hair of a person in reclining position on a bed. The shampooing device includes a water-retaining tray 10," having a substantially heart-shaped flat floor '12 and Wall portions upstanding from the'periphery there- 1 of. The wall portions include side Walls 14 and 16, a drain wall 18 truncatingthe tipof thetheart-sha'ped floor 12, and a forward wall 20 with a neck-accommodating curve 22 formed therein. The wall portions are of sub stantial height to prevent, splashing-and spilling of Water from the tray when in use, as hereinafter explained. Wall portions between threeand'v four inches in height'for a shampoo tray between 1 6 20 inches in length and 14 to lf'fi inche' sinwidthliave proved satisfactory 'inthe above respectalthough these ,dimensionsare not critical. The

wall portions forma water-tight basin with the floor, and

are preferably separately formed-and subsequently joined to the floor, although the tray maybeforrned as an in tegral unit, as through a stamping, forming or dishing operation. When the wall portions are formed separately from the base '12 it is preferred that they be formed from a single piece of material," and that the material be fastened back onto itself to form a continuous sidewall structure. Floor and wall'portions formedfrom alight-gauge steel sheet have produced excellent results, although other materials fashionable in molded'orassernbled mannerinto a floored and walled tray may be .employed for this purpose. 1 I a r Itwill be seenthat the drain area of the tray is the a ewwas locality of the most possibility of splashing of Water from the tray, since all water used for the shampoomg must at one time pass through that area. Accordingly, and in addition to the substantial height of the wall portions, protection against spilling and splashing of wat r from the tray adjacent the drain wall 18 is provided by a cover 24 attached to the side walls 14 and 16 and to the drain wall, over and across the truncated rearward end of the tray.

A tubular drain nipple 26 projects from the drain Wall 18 through an opening 28 in the lower portion of the drain wall. A drain tube 30 is slidably projected onto the drain nipple, and is of sufficient length to extend from the tray to any suitable water-collection or drainage means, usually found on the floor upon which the shampooing device may be resting.

The supporting structure for the shampooing tray includes a standard 32 having a vertical tube member 34 anda plurality of legs 36, as for example three, extending radially and downwardly therefrom. The tube member is hollow to slidably accommodate a support rod 38 in telescoping relation therewithin. The support rod 38 carries a fitting 40 at its upper extremity, the fitting having a socket member 42 accommodating the upper end of the support rod and terminating in a vertically positioned disc-end 44. The socket member of the fitting is held on the support rod by any suitable means, as by press fitting or by means of a set screw.

A first thumb screw 46 is provided in the upper portion of the tube member 34 of the standard, and is threaded horizontally therethrough to enable one end of the screw to be threadedly advanced into tight frictional engagement with the support rod disposed within the tube member, to prevent sliding movement of the rod relative to the tube once the tray is correctly positioned in height. When the screw 46 is backed off from contact with the support rod, the latter is free to slide within the tube member to permit adjustment of the height of the tray.

The legs 36 are preferably formed as a severable leg unit 37, and are provided with an axial vertical threaded bore 39 adapted to receive a threaded lower end 35 of the tube member 34. This construction permits the disassembly of the standard for compact collapse and storage of the device.

A bracket member 48 (Figures 1 and 2) is pivotally connected to the disc-end 44 of the support rod, and includes an elongate arm 50 terminating in a downwardly extending ear 52. The pivotal connection of the bracket to the support rod includes the ear 52 of the bracket. the disc-end 44 of the support rod and a second thumb screw 54 slidably carried by the ear and threadedly engag ng the disc-end to frictionally bind the two together against any relative movement. The binding contact between the ear and the disc-end is increased by the inclusion of. corrugations in each of the mating faces, these corrugations extending radially from the centers thereof. The ear is positioned generally in a vertical plane including the longitudinal medial axis of the arm 50. Therefore, when the frictional contact between the ear and the vertically-positioned disc-end 44 is released by a backing-off of the second thumb screw 54, the bracket member 48 is pivotable in a vertical plane about the second thumb screw.

The arm 50 (Figures 3 and 4) of the bracket 48 is provided with a longitudinally-extending elongate slot 56, and with a channel 58 of width greater than that of the slot concentrically overlying the latter. An elongate rectangular boss 60 is secured to the lower side of the tray bottom, centrally and longitudinally thereon, to engage the channel 58. A threaded stud 62 is fixed to the boss to project downwardly therefrom for purposes hereinafter explained. The width and depth of the channel 58 are slightly greater than and slightly less than the width and height, respectively, of the boss 60, whlch is adapted to be accommodated within the channel to be slidably positionable throughout the longitudinal extent of the latter. Since the boss is rigidly secured to the tray, the tray is accordingly slidably positionable relative to the arm 50 of the bracket. The stud 62 is adapted to project through the slot 56 and to move throughout the longitudinal extent thereof as the boss slides along the channel 58. A washer 64 and thumb nut 66 are provided on the pro ecting end of the stud, and provide means for retaimngthe boss within the channel and for tightening the boss into strong frictional engagement within the channel to permit the tray to be fastened in a desired position on the bracket arm radially from the standard. The rectangular nature of the boss prevents any transverse or pivotal movement thereof within the channel, and accordingly holds the tray substantially rigid. It can be seen that since the channel 58 is shallower than the height of the boss 60, the only frictional contact between the tray and the bracket member is borne by the boss, not the tray bottom, which is a structure less able than the boss to withstand any abrasion caused by sliding movement of the tray on the bracket member.

A cushion 68 is provided for the forward wall 20 of the tray, and is molded substantially in the shape of the forward wall and the neck-accommodating curve 22 in that wall. The cushion is provided with a centrally positioned narrow slot 70 throughout its curved extent, by means of which the cushion is mounted on the forward wall of the tray. The cushion is preferably formed of foam rubber or other material with similar padding properties, and provides a comfortable support or abutment for the neck of a person whose hair is being shampooed.

The neck and back support ("Figure 5) includes a frame 82, having a base 84 of substantial planar extent for resting upon a bed or other surface upon which a person whose hair is to be shampooed is reclining. A pair of similar side members 86 upstand from the base 84, and preferably incline upwardly towards one another until the former are joined to opposed edges of a neckrest 88 in the form of a shallow trough. A recess is formed in the upper portion of the rearward edge of each side member 86, such that only the forward end 87 of the neck-rest 88 is attached to the side members, while the rearward end 89 of the neck-rest overhangs the recesses. The recesses 90 are of suflicient height and depth of freely accommodate the forward end of the tray 10 to an extent where the neck-rest completely overhangs the neck-accommodating curve 22. The side members 86 are cut away on an incline 92 to form the recesses, so that the tray may be pivoted through an arc of angular positions relative to the horizontal while accommodated within the recesses. Since the tray will normally be inclined downwardly to the rear to induce the flow of waste water toward the drain, the neck-rest is preferably positioned on a slight incline downwardly to the rear.

The structural rigidity of the frame 82 is increased by flange portions 94 and 96 on the forward and rearward edges of the side members, by flange portions 98 on the forward and rearward edges of the base, and reenforcing cross-bars joining the forward flanges 94 of the side members. Additional rigidity is provided in the side members by providing a reenforcing crease 102 in each.

A cushion 104 is provided to render the neck-rest 88 more comfortable, and preferably takes the form of a pad of foam rubber of substantially the same length and width as the neck-rest, and of suflicient thickness to provide a comfortable rest for a persons neck. The cushion preferably is removably supported, not fastened, on the neck-rest so as to be easily removable for washing between shampooing operations.

A back-rest 106 in the form of a rectangular plate 107 is pivotally attached to the frame 82 adjacent the neckrest 88. To this end, a hinge 108 connects the back-rest to the forward flange 94 of each of the side members 86. The hinges 108 preferably are positioned on the side member flanges slightly below the neck-rest to provide a displacement 110 so that the neck and the back of a person in reclining position will be comfortably supported. The back-rest is of sufficient length to incline forwardly downward at a moderate angle when the forward end 112 thereof is resting on the persons bed. The back-rest is preferably formed from a light-gauge steel sheet, however it is contemplated that other materials may be used equally well in its construction. Structural rigidity is imparted to the back-rest preferably by means of a peripheral wall 109 perpendicular to the plate, and an inwardly extending flange 111 parallel to the plate and formed peripherally from the wall.

The shampooing device is set up for shampooing the hair of a person in reclining position, by first positioning the head and back support under the person whose hair is to be shampooed. It will be seen that the back-rest supports the shoulders and back of the person, while the cushioned neck-rest provides a comfortable support for the head and neck. A towel placed over the neck and back support will provide a means of promoting sanitation and of absorbing any splashed or spilled water. The neck and back support is positioned in line with the body of the person whose hair is to be shampooed, so that the recesses 88 open toward the rear of the device, away from the persons head.

The tray is thereupon readied for the shampooing operation by release of the first thumb screw 46 in the tube member 34 of the standard so that the support rod 38 may be slidably moved up or down within the tube member to correctly position the height of the tray. Once the correct vertical position of the tray is established, the thumb screw 46 is tightened down on the support rod to prevent further vertical movement. The position of the tray radially from the standard is next set by releasing the thumb nut 66 from tight frictional contact with the bracket arm 50, so that the boss 60 and the tray are freely slidable along the arm. The correct radial position for the tray depends on the construction of the head-end of the bed and position of the person on that bed, and is a position wherein the standard will rest firmly on the floor when the tray projects laterally therefrom sufliciently to reach the person on the bed. Once the correct radial position is reached, however, the thumb nut is re-tightened to fasten the tray to the bracket member 48 and therefore to the standard. The final adjustment, prior to the positioning of the tray in the recesses 90 of the neck and back support, is effected by manipulation of the second thumb screw 54 on the pivotal connection so that the angle of the tray may be adjusted to one which induces a proper rate of draining of the water from the tray.

The tray on the standard is thereupon advanced toward the person on the bed, and the forward end of the tray is positioned in the recesses 90 so that the neckrest overhangs the cushioned neck-accommodating curve. The free end of the drain tube is then placed in communication with a water-collection means, such as a pail or pan, and the shampooing operation may be begun.

The device is similarly adjusted in height, radial position and inclination for use in shampooing the hair of a person seated upright, as in a chair. For this shampooing operation, however, the neck and back support is not needed, and it is only necessary to position the tray and standard so that the neck of the person whose hair is being shampooed rests in cushioned manner in the neckaccommodating curve of the tray.

When the device is to be carried or stored, it is a simple matter to telescope the support rod down into the tube member, and to pivotally fold the tray down against the tube member. Similarly, the neck and shoulders support is easily collapsed by folding the shoulders-rest against the frame. The device may be further collapsed by removal of the radial legs from the tube member, as by unscrewing the tube member from the leg unit, should such prove convenient.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a compact and simple means of shampooing the hair of persons in reclining positions as well as in upright positions. Furthermore, the shampooing operations necessary in either situation can be accomplished without undue disturbance of or discomfort to the persons whose hair is being shampooed. Moreover, the device is easily collapsible and portable, and is adapted for use in rooms and under conditions of immobility of the person wherein facilities are not available or are inconvenient for shampoos otherwise to be given.

It can be further seen that the construction of the shampooing device of the present invention permits it to be positioned where convenient for the person whose hair is being shampooed and not merely where it will be close to a water source or to a basin or water-drainage means. The construction of the shampooing tray, particularly in respect to the sidewalls of substantial height and the splash and spill-preventing cover over the drain portion of the tray, allows the device to be used without employment of hose and spray nozzle means carrying water from a sink or basin to the tray, and permits the use of pans or other vessels for bringing water, preferably heated, to the tray for the shampooing operation.

I claim:

1. A neck and back support for supporting a person in reclining position comprising a generally upstanding frame, an arcuate neck-rest arranged on the upper portion of said frame, and a back-rest connected at one end to said frame below said neck rest, said frame and said back-rest being so proportioned and so connected that when said neck and back support is positioned for use said backrest is inclined at a moderate angle and the portion of said neck-rest adjacent said back-rest lies substantially above the plane of said back-rest.

2. The neck and back support of claim 1 in which said neck-rest slopes downwardly away from said back-rest.

3. The neck and back support of claim 1 in which said neck-rest slopes downwardly away from said back-rest, and said frame is recessed below said neck-rest on the side away from said back-rest.

4. The neck and back support of claim 1 in which said back-rest is hingedly connected to said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 973,822 Sparenburg Oct. 25, 1910 1,660,107 Trickey Feb. 21, 1928 2,167,572 Howe July 25, 1939 2,425,513 Czajcinski et a1. Aug. 12, 1947 2,453,784 Conjurske Nov. 16, 1948 2,759,195 McAdon Aug. 21, 1956 

